[Global Times Special Correspondent in Japan Yue Linwei Global Times Reporter Ding Yazhi] According to a report by Kyodo News on February 13, relevant sources in the Japanese government revealed that the government has basically decided to sign an agreement with the United States to purchase a large amount of " Tomahawk cruise missiles are used as equipment for counterattack capabilities (capability of attacking enemy bases) to destroy missile bases within the territory of other countries.

　　On the 14th, Japanese Defense Minister Yasuichi Hamada confirmed the news at a press conference.

Yasuichi Hamada said that he would consider obtaining all the Tomahawk missiles needed in the 2023 budget.

　　Kyodo News reported that 211.3 billion yen (about 10.9 billion yuan) has been included in the 2023 government budget for the purchase of "Tomahawk" missiles.

The "Tomahawk" missile planned to be purchased can be launched from the "Aegis" ship of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, and it is also the latest model being used by the US Navy.

The "Tomahawk" missiles purchased this time are expected to be installed in the Self-Defense Forces in 2026. Japan is also considering negotiating with the US to advance the deployment time.

　　Japan's "Asahi Shimbun" quoted relevant sources from the Ministry of Defense as saying that the modification fees required for the "Aegis" ship carrying the "Tomahawk" will be included in the budget after 2024.

　　In addition, the Ministry of Defense plans to increase the range of Japan's self-produced missile "Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile" to about 1,000 kilometers, and start deploying it from 2026 to attack enemy bases.

According to the "Nihon Keizai Shimbun" report, Japan plans to deploy "Tomahawk" missiles at one time, and then gradually use domestic missiles as the main equipment.

　　Regarding the purchase quantity, the Japanese government refused to announce it on the grounds that it would reveal its hole card, but some analysts believe that the maximum number of Tomahawk missiles purchased by Japan is about 500.

　　Yang Danzhi, an expert on international issues at the Institute of Asia-Pacific and Global Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said in an interview with a reporter from the Global Times on the 14th that Japan's purchase of American-made "Tomahawk" cruise missiles has double meanings: on the one hand, by purchasing from the United States, Japan's purchase of The release signal shows that the US-Japan alliance is very strong, and the two sides support and assist each other in terms of security; "The Japanese government's plan to purchase "Tomahawk" cruise missiles from the United States at one time also shows that it is eager to use this equipment to acquire the counterattack capability to destroy missile bases within the territory of other countries.

　　Kyodo News stated that considering that China and North Korea are rapidly increasing their armaments, the Japanese government believes that annual procurement will lead to a lag in response, so it will step up equipment.

　　In this regard, Yang Danzhi believes that this statement is an excuse and excuse for Japan to become a military power and adopt an offensive strategy in regional security situations.

In fact, in recent years, everyone is well aware of who created the turmoil or tension in the regional security situation.

　　(Source: Global Times)